Monday, November 13, 2006

What matters...

I read somewhere that currently there’s some discussion about the terms Bangsa Malaysia and Rakyat Malaysia.

To my rusty and under-utilised brain, there’s not much of a difference. I’m sure some people have a cause for concern about which term is best used in the country but I really do think it is not a big deal.

What matters is that we are Malaysians.

Do you know how lucky we are to be Malaysians? I am in a better place to realise this, I feel, because I am not currently staying in the country and therefore has better means to compare and really understand the matter. For my story below, I will try my best to write in our national language…

Now, look at us Malaysians, we are multiracial. Because of that, our palate is diverse. We are open to Malay, Indian, Chinese, Arab, Western, Japanese and Korean food. And we are more open in many other ways as well and can easily tolerate other people’s culture and beliefs too.

We are very liberated in that sense compared to many other people.

We are not always adamant that we are right (tengok kisah sup).

We can blend in almost anywhere because we are used to a variety of races, culture and languages.

Perempuan tu memang baik. Kami pun ada beraya ke rumahnya selepas itu dan kami dilayan dengan baik. Then again, we are very open minded people and our level of tolerance to anything different is pretty high, I think. Terer betul orang Malaysia. Memang terer. Doesn’t matter that we are a bangsa or rakyat. The most important thing is, I think, we are united in all that matters.

funny buns: Mmg boleh tapi taknak risk it...takut orang terasa...:) And I didn't want to do that because she really is a nice lady.

Ayu: Yeah...mula2 tu bengang jugak tapi later on nampak the positive side la..and yes, bukan semua orang Malaysia tu bagus, but I still think the worst of us are more flexible daripada orang2 ni because we live in a multiracial society...

Have to agree with Ayu, and mami oh that yeah, ada a handful yang tak seflexible yg kita nak. But dalam dunia nie, biasalaa kalau ada yg baguih, ada gak yang tak baguih. See Halwafy, see what you started? This blog has really gotten us to be a bangsa or rakyat or whatever malaysia. Just lookie at our language. Cp1, ur comment buat I teringat sth my student once answered. We were talking about the slogan Malaysia Boleh and then I asked, "So, Malaysia boleh?" Si loyar buruk nie jawab, "Bolehlaaahhh". I found it funny because in some ways it is true, some Malaysians are easily satisfied with something that is just 'Bolehlaaa'. Just look at Akademi Fantasia and Malaysian Idol, for example. Fans being fans based their judgement on looks or personality etc, even though those they voted out could sing better than those who were still in. However, I do feel lucky that I am Malaysian and I do agree that we have a high threshold for tolerance and we accept and even adapt many things from different cultures. I mean, even Chinese weddings nowadays, ada whatchamacallit, those uhm macam bunga telur or souvenir stuff that guests take home with them. And we also have Malays wearing veils when they get married. And pinatas for birthdays! We celebrate every celebration and festival. There are so many public holidays that it's a wonder that work gets done. There is really no place like home...and the food! Mmmmm....Halwafy, you must really miss home now, how often do you come back?

mami-oh-mummy: rent for short term let lebih kurang like Msia Hall (+/-£15 per person per night)...but the longer you stay, the cheaper it is insh ;)

cp1 & jujuqtpie: 'Malaysia Boleh' indeed..(I say that not without some sarcasm,mind..)

jujuqtpie: I do miss Malaysia very, very much but my husband and I, we have made a pact to not go back at least until his current contract ends plus we er...dont really have the money to go home just yet..so sad..